Hello All,
I am so excited to start travel planning again! I am planning—along with a college friend—a trip to Italy in May/June 2022. I’m calling it my “few months belated 60th birthday celebration,” but truth be told, I would be traveling next summer anyway! Looking for good food, wine, and music (we’re both musicians). I have traveled to Europe (including a wonderful solo trip to Austria a couple years ago) but this will be my first trip to Italy. (My friend visited Italy once in the 80s.). I am all about doing our own planning and personalizing our experiences! And, I know enough to know that one trip will never be enough!
We’re just starting our planning, so we have lots of details to work out. I’m thinking Milan (La Scala performance!) and maybe starting with a Lake Como jet lag recovery day trip, Florence, the Tuscan countryside, and Rome. About 17-18 day, few days in each location (not quite as long in Milan), not too tight itinerary so in addition to our “must-sees” we have time for meandering, people-watching, and just absorbing the atmosphere. I haven’t checked with my friend, but I am thinking Airbnb stays, maybe a farm stay in Tuscany. Wine tasting, a cooking class, hopefully other foodie experiences (cheese/olive oil visits, etc.).
I have been googling possible ideas for places to stay, day trips, food/wine experiences, restaurants, etc., but I’d love to know of some of your recommendations or favorites. Thanks!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4574 posts
A little east of these destinations is Emilia Romagna province. Rick doesn't cover it well in his Italy book - but it is the home of Parma Ham, Romano and Parmesan cheese, Modena for exquisite balsamic vinegar and Bologna is the home of well, Bolognese sauce...and it is nothing like what we have in North America. Forget ground beef, it is chunked meat and more a ragu than a red tomato sauce.
Posted by
OP
WV
67 posts
Ooh, I love this idea! Now I want to explore that region as another option! Grazie!
Posted by
4384 posts
You have not said if you will be driving or not (not required but much easier for rural Tuscany). If not, you might be more selective about Tuscany, and indeed somewhere like Bologna would be fine with train only. I'd not want to do just a day trip to the lakes though--day trips are just not relaxing to me, you have time for a stay unless you end up adding lots of other stuff.
Late May is my favorite time of year, and 18 days is wonderful--lucky you!
Posted by
Land of La
8672 posts
Venice should be included. It’s unique. High speed train ride from Milan. 2.5 hours. Worth at least 2 overnights.
Travel open jaw. Fly into Rome. Fly out of Milan.
In Milan absolutely reserve tickets to see the Last Supper. I traveled off season ( November ). Besides the guard was the only individual in the room. Memorable.
Don’t miss the National Science and Technology Leonardo De Vinci Museum. Modern displays of his
ancient models as well as interactive exhibits. His genius for all to see.
In Florence in 2008 stayed at and enjoyed Casa Rovai. No clue if it’s still open. I was the only guest. Watched Its A Wonderful Life in Italian on Christmas Eve. Next day was the start of the RS tour. Moved to the Hotel Accademia. Stayed in room 19.
In Florence before the tour began found the restaurant Lorenzo de Medici on via del Giglio.
My notes say, great pasta, attentive staff.
Another personal fav in Florence was the Taverna De Neri.
Train and bus/tram/lightrail systems easy to use.
I travel and explore mostly on foot as I found you never know what’s around the next corner.
Enjoy your belated bday celebration.
Posted by
Irving
2952 posts
You’ll need to fly into Milan or Rome and out the other. I would spend two nights in Milan and explore Milan the day of arrival. The following day take a 1h 15m train to Varenna and take Rick Steves self-guided walking tour and then hop on a 15-minute ferry to Bellagio and walk around there and have lunch. This would be the night to visit the La Scala.
From Milan take a direct train to Florence (2h) and sleep there three nights. Make sure you visit the Uffizi Gallery and buy your tickets online before leaving home two months before departure. I would then see David afterwards. The next day take Rick Steves self-guided walks.
I would then take a bus to Siena (1h 15m) and spend one night. You can rent a car in Siena and drive to your agriturismo and explore Tuscany.
You can return your car in Tivoli or Orvieto. I would not drive to Rome. You want a minimum for four nights in Rome and include a day trip to Vatican City.